This is surely something the Orioles' brass had already been considering. But it's interesting to think about how the lines have blurred between which pitchers are starters and relievers.

In the old, old days, pitchers were just pitchers. Then we went into an era of specialization.

But now, as the the Orioles and other teams are showing, starters can be used in relief with pretty solid results.

Not every team is going to pull a Showalter and have three-fifths of its Opening Day rotation pitching out of the 'pen in September. But when the Orioles head into next season with seemingly plenty of options to fill out their rotation, perhaps guys like Hunter and Brian Matusz will take on more of a hybrid role where they're available out of the bullpen but can also step in to start.

It's silly to spend too much time wondering about that now. The takeaway is that we shouldn't necessarily pigeonhole pitchers as starters or relievers. Showalter certainly isn't right now -- and that seems to be working just fine.